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BoyOrigin debated1 syllable

Reid

Meaning: not confirmed (origin debated)

About the name Reid

The origin of Reid is debated, and we couldn't confirm its meaning from a sourced etymology. A commonly cited theory links it to Scottish roots, with the meaning “Red-haired”. Treat that as a theory, not a settled fact.

Why we say this: we only state a meaning as fact when a sourced etymology (Wiktionary, with its references) supports it. For Reid we didn't find one we were confident in, so we show the popular explanation as a theory.

It has a classic, short & sweet feel. In 2025, Reid ranked #293 for boys in the US, with 1,150 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 2014. Since 2000, 97% of US babies named Reid were boys.

US rank 2025
#293
In 2015
#278
Babies in 2025
1,150

Popularity of Reid, 1940–2025

03587161.1k1.4k19401960198020002020
Boys GirlsBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Nicknames for Reid

Reid is already short and sweet, so it doesn't usually get a nickname.

Names similar to Reid

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.